James Maker Email & Phone Number

London, Gb

Westminster, England, United Kingdom

Westminster

As part of CCN's programme of continual development and transformation in the rapidly changing world of local government and national advocacy, my portfolio has expanded to include the communications and public affairs function of CCN. Alongside the strategic management of CCN's strategy, policy development and member support under my previous role, I now have responsibility for communications, public affairs and marketing.Building on CCN's increased national profile, I work… Show more As part of CCN's programme of continual development and transformation in the rapidly changing world of local government and national advocacy, my portfolio has expanded to include the communications and public affairs function of CCN. Alongside the strategic management of CCN's strategy, policy development and member support under my previous role, I now have responsibility for communications, public affairs and marketing.Building on CCN's increased national profile, I work with members and colleagues to effectively communicate our key messages and policy positions to the national and trade media. Our ambition is deliver a communications strategy that builds the profile of the organisation, enabling CCN to represent its members and demonstrate the significance of our member councils in delivering quality, value for money public services. Our enhanced media platform enables CCN to engage with Central Government and stakeholders on a constructive basis to deliver our joint objectives on devolution and public service reform. My communications portfolio includes a recent review and expansion of CCN's internal communication, alongside the marketing the CCN brand. Projects in this area include the highly successful 'Our Plan for Government 2015-20' and 'CountyDevo' campaigns and forthcoming rebranding. In a rapidly changing landscape for public services, effective parliamentary engagement and a strong public affairs strategy has become increasingly important. I lead CCN's parliamentary, Whitehall and public affairs engagement work. This includes support to the County APPG; parliamentary briefings and events; and Stakeholder negotiations. Show less

Westminster

Recently promoted to the role of Policy Manager, I manage the policy function of the County Councils Network - a special interest group of the Local Government Association (LGA). I provide day-to-day management to our growing policy team and support the CCN Chairman,Director and CCN Spokesman is setting the strategic policy direction of the organisation and delivering our policy and communications plan.I provide oversight and management for the delivery of a range of policy and… Show more Recently promoted to the role of Policy Manager, I manage the policy function of the County Councils Network - a special interest group of the Local Government Association (LGA). I provide day-to-day management to our growing policy team and support the CCN Chairman,Director and CCN Spokesman is setting the strategic policy direction of the organisation and delivering our policy and communications plan.I provide oversight and management for the delivery of a range of policy and research work by the CCN policy team across local government finance, growth, children's services, education and social care. I am currently leading CCN's extensive portfolio of work on the Care Act, developing and managing CCN's Care Bill Implementation Group and working closely with the Department of Health on the delivery of the Care Act in county areas. I also have responsibility for managing the secretariat function of the County All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). Show less

Westminster

The County Councils Network (CCN) is a special interest group of the Local Government Association (LGA) representing 37 County Councils and County Unitary Authorities in England. Working with policy makers across Whitehall, the LGA, national stakeholders, and CCN member authorities I lead the organisation's policy and public affairs work on social care, children's services, public health and education. I also provide cross-cutting policy support to CCN's work on economic growth, funding… Show more The County Councils Network (CCN) is a special interest group of the Local Government Association (LGA) representing 37 County Councils and County Unitary Authorities in England. Working with policy makers across Whitehall, the LGA, national stakeholders, and CCN member authorities I lead the organisation's policy and public affairs work on social care, children's services, public health and education. I also provide cross-cutting policy support to CCN's work on economic growth, funding and transformation. Show less

Local Government Association (Local Government House)

The District Councils Network is a special interest group of the Local Government Association representing 195 of the 201 District Councils in England. I work across local and central government to lobby on behalf of the sector and secure the best possible deal from central government for councils and their communities they serve. Across a number of policy fields I work with senior members, officers and industry stakeholders to form policy positions in a number of specific areas of… Show more The District Councils Network is a special interest group of the Local Government Association representing 195 of the 201 District Councils in England. I work across local and central government to lobby on behalf of the sector and secure the best possible deal from central government for councils and their communities they serve. Across a number of policy fields I work with senior members, officers and industry stakeholders to form policy positions in a number of specific areas of public policy, as well as cross-cutting areas of local government reform. I provide guidance to local authorities on how to implement central government reforms; briefing papers and supportive materials; respond to consultations; submit written evidence to Select Committee Investigations; and organise events for member organisations. Show less

Chelmsford Borough Council

A National Management Trainee on one of the top 100 graduate schemes in the UK, I support and manage projects across different directorates of the organisation. Public HealthProject Manager of Council’s response to the Health & Social Care Bill. Extensive understanding of Health & Social Care Bill used to recommend and produce the Council’s first Public Health Strategy. Subsequent Strategy production required identification and alignment of Strategy priorities through… Show more A National Management Trainee on one of the top 100 graduate schemes in the UK, I support and manage projects across different directorates of the organisation. Public HealthProject Manager of Council’s response to the Health & Social Care Bill. Extensive understanding of Health & Social Care Bill used to recommend and produce the Council’s first Public Health Strategy. Subsequent Strategy production required identification and alignment of Strategy priorities through statistical analysis, strategic policy development, partnership and consultation process & negotiation with local stakeholders (including Health & Wellbeing Board), and SMART action plan construction.Service Development (Housing) Managed project researching the implications of the Localism Bill and Housing Benefit reductions. Project developed a comprehensive knowledge of Localism Bill and housing benefits. Extensive quantitative and qualitative research and stakeholder consultation undertaken to identify legislative implications. Recommendations presented and accepted to mediate impact of changes and improve homelessness services.Commissioning (Homelessness Prevention)Led commissioning process of a homelessness prevention option for Housing Services. Project used understanding of commissioning cycles and procurement to assess local need, market test, select potential suppliers and successfully procure provider.Service Development & Reform (Credit Control & Debt Management)Supported restructuring of Debt Management and Credit Control function of Financial Services. Knowledge of public sector reform used to design new recovery pathways, collection methods and created supporting policies, procedures and training materials. Identified ICT improvements and workforce restructuring opportunities and supported implementation. Show less

Research/wrote Youth Task Force ReportPolicy ResearchLondon Living Wage Research

Diploma In Local Government Management, Local Government, Pass

Activities and Societies: - Policy Analysis in the Public Sector - Public Finance and Budget Management - Corporate Strategy and Change.

Master'S Degree, Contemporary British Politics, Distinction

Activities and Societies: - Political Science - Welfare Policy & Economics - Public Sector Reform - New Labour - Thatcherism - Housing.

Bachelor'S Degree, History & Politics, 2.1